Kingston Penitentiary housing plan unlikely, says MP Mark Gerretsen

Discussion to come before city council

Kingston and the Islands MP Mark Gerretsen says turning Kingston Penitentiary into a housing development is highly unlikely due to the site's historical significance and development challenges.

The Kingstonist reports Gerretsen called the idea “far-fetched” and sent a letter to federal Public Services Minister Jean-Yves Duclos opposing the plan. He also copied Public Safety Minister David McGuinty, as Correctional Service Canada still owns the site.

The 19th-century prison was recently listed in the Canada Public Land Bank as part of a federal program to turn unused properties into housing. However, Gerretsen argues that Kingston Pen is too valuable as a cultural and economic asset. He pointed out that repurposing it for residential use would be expensive, complex, and possibly insensitive given its dark history.

The City of Kingston also opposes the plan. Since 2017, the prison has drawn thousands of tourists from around the world. It has also been used as a filming location, boosting the local economy. City officials say more than 300 hectares of other federal land in Kingston could be used for housing instead.

Gerretsen assured city and tourism officials that he does not believe the site will become a housing development. He supports transferring ownership to the City of Kingston but noted that the city does not want to pay full market value.

Kingston City Council will vote on March 4 to formally ask Ottawa to remove the prison from the housing list and further protect its heritage.

The Canada Public Land Bank review process will begin later this year, and Gerretsen hopes public feedback will be considered.